What Do I Need To Know About HIV During Pregnancy?
What Do I Need To Know About HIV During Pregnancy?Answer: How Common is It? The CDC estimates that in 2000, between 300 and 400 infants were born with HIV. This is a huge reduction from the nearly 2000 HIV+ infants born each year in the mid 1990s. How is it Transmitted? Doctors believe that most perinatal HIV transmission takes place around the time of birth, although infection can occur earlier during pregnancy. Anti-retroviral therapy during pregnancy and delivery greatly reduces the risk of transmission to the infant. HIV can also be transmitted through breast milk, so HIV+ women are generally instructed not to breastfeed. Cesarean section may be recommended for women with high viral load to reduce the risk of transmission during delivery. Effect on Pregnancy Outcome: The biggest concern for an HIV+ pregnant is whether or not her infant will also be infected. HIV does not otherwise affect pregnancy outcome. Screenin
